The 26-year-old has not played for the Three Lions since August 2012 but hopes to impress Roy Hodgson with his performances for the Black Cats

Star man: Johnson grabbed the headlines against Fulham and wants to make Brazil (Photo: Getty Images)

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Adam Johnson is the forgotten man of English football. Overtaken by Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Andros Townsend. A career in retreat. But the misfortune of others represents opportunity.

Walcott's heartbreak has opened a World Cup door. And while Roy Hodgson was not at Craven Cottage on Saturday, more of the form Johnson has shown over the past week and things could change.

Only two players have scored Premier League hat-tricks this season – Luis Suarez and now Johnson. Suddenly, it is not beyond the bounds of fancy that they could be squaring up in Sao Paulo in June.

Just as he did to earn Sunderland’s match-winning penalty against Manchester United in midweek, Johnson was direct and determined in this 4-1 win over the Londoners .

It was a reminder of a player who scored twice in four days for the Three Lions under Fabio Capello in Euro 2012 qualifiers. A player who should have gone to South Africa 2010.

And with Walcott out, Oxlade-Chamberlain yet to play since his injury and Townsend also crocked, Johnson believes he has a chance to jog Hodgson’s memory.

“If you have been involved with England, it’s always in the back of your mind,” said the Black Cats' winger. “Whoever you are, it’s a World Cup in Brazil this summer, it would be stupid not to think about it.

“In the last few months I felt the door was almost closed on me but now if I keep playing like this, you never know. I might make a late shout for the plane.”

Johnson’s opener, a curling free-kick, was quality. He then set up Ki Sung-Yueng – courtesy of shocking Fulham defending – and after Steve Sidwell pulled one back, finished off a counter before rolling home from the spot after Philippe Senderos’ comedy foul on Jozy Altidore.

He added: “I have known Theo for years, he is a good friend and you never want to see that. I was gutted for him. But if you can gain off someone else’s misfortune, you have to try and take it.”

Johnson’s career under Gus Poyet has not always been straightforward.

The Wearsiders' boss admitted: “That is the Johnno I like and want to see every week. There is responsibility from him and the rest of the team to make that happen.”